Apparatus for preparing seed beds and seeding same



Oct. 10, 1950 w. T. ANDRUS APPARE I'US FOR PREPARING SEED BEDS AND SEEDING SAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 8, 1945 W. T. ANDRUS Oct, 10, 1950 APPARATUS FOR PREPARING SEED BEDS AND SEEDING SAME Filed June 8, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ma mm W. T. AN DRUS APPARATUS FOR PREPARING SEED BEDS AND SEEDING SAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filer; June R, 1945 Oct. 10, 1950 w.1: ANDRUS 2,524,871

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING SEED BEDS AND ssznmc SAME Filed June a, 1945 "5 Shets-Sheet 4 5 m N mhw mww T R m m mum wNN NN Ill:

0mm mam awn WNN MAM/7.7719

fi m3 3 QR g u Oct. 10,1950 w.1'. ANDRUS 2 APPARATUS FOR PREPARING snap anus AND 3mm SAME Filed June a, 1945 A s Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ZU/W/am Zdras BY flm'fiff M ATTOR EYS Patented Oct. 10, 1950 .UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 APPARATUS FOR PREPARING SEED BED S AND SEEDING SAME William T. Andrus, Ann Arbor, Mich. Application June 8, 1945, semi No. 598,344

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to farm implements, and more particularly toa combined soil treating, cultivating, rolling and seed planting apparatus.

The primary object'of the invention is to provide an apparatus which will completely condition the soil and simultaneously plant and seed the same in a single operation, whereby the use of various separate implements such as cultivators, seeders, rollers and the like will be eliminated with a considerable savingin time and labor. t

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which will simultaneouly cultivate the soil; transfer the top soil beneath a layer of subsoil and finally roll the top soil so that the transferred subsoil may be conditioned for plant- Hing; whereby-large areas and tracts of land may be conditioned, treated and planted in a minimum amount of time witha great saving in labor and farming costs. a 1

Another object of theinvention is to provide i a farming apparatus in which the top or surface soil is removed to a predetermined depth and conveyed rearwardlywhere it is placed on a surface from which subsoil has been removed so that the subsoil maylikewise be conveyed rearwardly and deposited on the previously deposited layer of top soil, whereby the top soil layer will be lowermost and the subsoil layer will be arranged uppermost seeding. v

Another object of the invention is tO-"DrQVide a farm implement and machine which is adapted to remove the top soil containing stubble and the like so that it may be placed in a trench or pathway from which a predetermined amountbf subsoil has been removed so that the subsoil may be conveyed to a position forbeing "distributed over the top soil and thereby condition the soil for planting with the top soil containing vegetable matter lowermost and the subsoil layer uppermost.

Another object of the invention isto 'providea farm implement and apparatus which will remove a predetermined amount of top' soil and position the same ina pathway in advance of a land roller so that the layer of subsoil removed fromsaid pathway'may be depositedon the rolled layerjof top soil, whereby the vegetation-containing top" soil will ferment and decay to thus V fertilize" the layer of superposed sub-soil;

Another object of the invention is to provideia farm apparatus as above set forth in'which means is provided for planting and seeding the super for subsequent plantingand s 2 A posed layer of subsoil after the same has been evenly distributed over the layer of top soil.

Another object of the invention is to provide a farming machine and apparatus of the abovementioned type which is mounted on a wheeled frame and in which the soil treating and conditioning apparatus as wellas the land rolling and planting equipment is duplicated at each end facilitate movement of the wheeled frame laterally from one row or pathway to the next row when the apparatus has reached the end of a pathway being farmed. 7

Another object of the'invention is toprovide a farming and land conditionin apparatus in which the setsjof soilconditioning and rolling equipment at each end of the wheeled frame may be; individually controlled by suitable hydraulic will'be elevated out of ground engagement while control mechanism so that one set of equipment the other set is employed, thus enabling the farming equipment to be moved to and fro along a'djacent runs or pathways without reversing the apparatus and necessitating turning the same in a forward direction each time the apparatus reaches the end of said row or pathway.

Another object of the invention" is to provide an apparatu's'for soil treatment and cultivation in which1the top or; surface soil'is first cutinto slices bydisc harrows and then rernoved'by means 'of a toothed scoop arranged rearwardly of the harrow disc and in advance of an endlessapron conveyor which is adapted to receive said'soil so as to elevate the same and convey the soil rearwardly for being deposited in front of a land roller in a pathway or trench formedbya harrow and scoop positioned rearwardly of the first set of harrow discs and scoops. Thus the surface or topsoil is rolled in a trench or pathway from which the subsoil has likewise been removed so that after the top soil has been rolled, the subsoil will be placed thereon and distributed thereover for being planted or seeded.

Another object of the invention is to provide therefor;

planting or seeding farm land in which all of the v various elements are adapted to be raised by means of a hydraulic control system so arranged as to permit the leading harrow to be elevated out of ground engagement by a manual control valve to initiate operation of the system so that the remaining elements will be successively elevated by the hydraulic control system automatically at a predetermined location along said pathway.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for soil treatment and conditioning of .the above-mentioned type in which a power source such as a prime mover is provided for driving the traction wheels as well as the various conveying elements for both sets of equipment and to provide a source of power for the pump of the hydraulic control system and the steering mechanism. I Other objects and advantages of the invention v will become apparent during the course of the following description of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of one end portion of the farming apparatus and mechanism showing the general arrangement of the various parts and the manner in which the soil treating and conditioning apparatus is arranged;

a Figure 2 is a side elevational view of one end of the apparatus for treating and conditioning soil, 1 further showing the arrangement of the various elements and the manner in which they are disposed so as to operate in succession during use;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of an; end portion of the implement frame showing the combined traction and steering mechanism Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the front portion of the implementframe showing the arrangement of the traction and steering wheels aswell as the drive mechanism therefor; 7

Figure 5 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 4 looking in the direction 4 of .the arrows and illustrating the gearing for drivingly connecting the power source to the traction wheels; v 7 h it I Figure 6 is a side elevational View of the entire structure showing the manner in which the soil treating apparatus is duplicated at each end of g the implement frame and illustrating one set in operation while the other set is elevated above the ground level;

Figure '7 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on linel-l of Figure 2 looking in thedirection of the arrows and illustrating the discharge chute for depositing the top soil in advance of the land roller so as to pack the same within a trough or pathway formed by a scoop or shovel for elevating the subsoil;

Figure 8 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating the conveying apparatus for directing the subsoil to a location 4 rearwardly of the land roller so as to be deposited on the previously deposited top soil;

Figure 9 is a diagonal cross-sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the manner in which the apron elevator or conveyor is adapted to be driven to elevate the subsoil for being deposited rearwardly of the land roller;

Figure -10 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line Ill-l0 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating a clutch interposed between the power source and the two sets of soil conditioning, treating and planting or seeding apparatus to facilitate operation of one set when the wheel frame is being moved in a predetermined direction;

Figure 11. is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic control system and apparatus employed for successively elevating the various soil treating, conditioning and planting or seeding apparatus for each endof the apparatus; and v Figure 12 is a fragmentary side elevational View of a modified form of the invention in which the traction wheels are arranged for yieldingly supporting the implement frameto compensate for unevenness interrain and absorb shocks which would otherwise be transmitted to the implement frame. 1 i.

v In the drawings, the reference characterfi will generally be employed to indicate an implement frame having end frame portions 1 and'8 paratus and connected byavertical end bars l4 .at the ends thereof as well as intermediate frame bars I5. Transversely extending frame :bars I'! l and I8 connect the upperand lower frame bars [2 and I3 and suitable end bars I!) likewise connect the upper and lower side frame bars [2 and I3 respectively. g v

a 4 The wheel supporting frames I and 8 at each ,1 end of theimplernentframefi are constructed of upper and lower frame bars and M which I are connected to the end bars I4 and the free ends of the upper and lower frame bars 20 and 2| converge and are connected by a transverse plate is provided with openings 24 which are triangularlyv arranged as shown in Figure 3 for receiving the tubular spindle portion 25 of the wheel-supporting steering yokes 26 having an axle 27 for suppgrting apairof traction wheels 28. The upper end of each of the tubular spindle portions 25 is fitted with a gear wheelv 29 adapted to be drivingly engaged by the common gear wheel 30 securedtoa shaft 3| having one end theupper frame members 20 while the lower end is'journaled in a similar bearing supported by 70 .'wheel 30 is fitted with a spur gear 33 having the triangular plate 23. The hub 32aof the gear "diagonal teeth which are' adapted ,tobe d rivingly engaged by a similar-gear mounted on a shaft 35 and journaled in a suitable bearing 36 secured to the triangular-shaped frame plate 23. The

9 shaft extendsrearwardlyiandisprovided with a gear wheel 36f -(Fi-g ure=3)-for being-drivenby the prime-mover such as-amotor 31 Themotor 31 is mounted onthe -implement frame 6 and is supported on one of 'the truss member s thereof as at 39 by beingbolted'or fastened to a block 40 as illustrated in Figure 2,-aswell as being secured to a transvers frame bar; ll l extending between the truss bars"39-con-necting the upper side franidbarsehrails' 4-2 with the end frame bars l4; The motor 3'lis-provided wi-th'a trans mission housing '43- through which-the power shaft 44 extends so-t-hat the-freeend thereof may project beyondsaid transmission housing and b'e-supportedin a bearing 4'5 carried by one of the upperframe bars l2 =of th i mplement frame. The motor drive shaft 44 -has keyed thereon the hubs 46 and 41 ofrever-Sing gears lltl and 49 which are adapted tobe controlled by suitable yoke arms having lever extensions 50 and 5! respectively. The reversing gears 43 on the hub it-are adapted'to be drivingly connected to a shaft-52 extending through a bearing extension 53 on the transmission housing 43 and said shaft is provided with a gear 54 -which is adapted to be alternately engaged by either one of the gears 48 on the hub 46 so as to rotate the shaft 52 in either direction. Theshaft 52 is provided with a suitable sprocket wheel over which is trained a sprocket chain 55 so as to drive'the sprocket 36' on the steering shaft 35. Bymanipulatingthe control handle- 59 it will be seen that the powersource or motor filwill be drivingly connected'to the steering shaftlSE: so as'to rotate the wheel supporting steering yokes' 26 about the axis of their tubular supporting portions 25.

The drive shaft 35 extends rearwardly to the opposite end of the implement frame and is adapted to steer the steering wheels in thereof in substantially the same manner as described in connection with the steering wheel 9.

The other set of reversing gears 49 areadapted to be drivingly connected to a gear wheel 5'5 mounted on a shaft 53 extending through the transmission housing 43 in such'a manner as to drive a powershaft 59 having a sprocket wheel and chain connection 60 with the shaft 58: One end of the shaft 59' is journaled in a bearingsup- ,port fil aflixed to the horizontal frameibaflil while the other end is 1 journaledr in a similar bearing support 62 carried by a triangular-shaped plate63 .which extends between and connectslthe upper converging frame bars 29 of' the'wheel supporting frame 1. The power :shaft' 59-is adaptedto drivingly connect the motor 31 with 'thetrac'tion wheels 9andalso with the traction wheels ID in a manner which will be'hereinafter more fully described, and in order to provide a drive for each of the traction wheels, a gear wheel 64 is keyed to the hub 'of one ofthe pair of traction wheels 28 as indicated in Figure 5. A rotary shaft 65 is mounted in a suitable bearing openingin one of the arms of the steering yoke 26 and has keyed to oneend 'a'spur gear fifi'which is in mesh with the gear wheel 64 while the other end is provided with a similar spur gear 6! in driven engagement by a spur wheel 98 mounted on a shaft 69 directly above the shaft 65 and likewise extendingthrough a bearing opening in a bearing boss 10 of one of the arms of the steering wheel 26. The inner end of the shaft 69 is fitted with a bevel gear" H Which'is in mesh with a bevel gear 12 mounted on the lowerend of 'a "driv shaft 13 which extends-through the tubular yoke support 25 and progects a-considerabledis tance thereabove so asrt'o extend through:- suitablebearing openings L and hearings in the trianular-shaped Plate-63; r 1 r a In order-to drive-all of the tractionwheels 28 from the powershaft--59; th upper ends ofth'e drive shaf-t 13 are p'rovided with bevel gears 14 which are-rigidly'secured in place andare adapted 1 to be driven through ar -series of shafts and bevel gears. bevel gear 15 which is arranged in driving en- The power shaft 59 is pro'vided-with a the triangular-shaped plate 63 adjacent each end thereof. Ihe shaft 16 is provided on one end with a bevel gear 78 which is in driven engagement with the-bevel gear l4 driven by the bevel gear-i5 -andthe other end of the shaft lfi has afiixed thereto a-bevel gear '59 in driving engagement withan adjacent bevel' gear l4. The-inter mediate portion of the shaft 16 has keyed thereto the bevel gear 89 which is in mesh with a" bevel gear 8| on the shaft Tl so as to rotate the-shaft Ti and the third bevel gear is through the medium of an intermeshingbevel gear 82. 1:

-It is intended to-drive the traction wheels 9 and It at each end of the wheel frame inunison and in order to accomplish this, the power shaft 594s adapted to be connectedtoa similar power shaft on the wheelsupporting frame Bbyrneans of: a longitudinally extending shafts fiflatwhich is driven from the 'powersshaft89 through the medium of sprocket wheels 98 and-9i which are connected by a sprocket chain'92v A' similar sprocket and sprocket chainwilllbe provided for the oppositeend of the shaftl88 for drivingly connecting the shaft 88 to aushaft similar to the power shaft 553 on the wheel supporting frame 8.

A manual zsteering;control shaft v SEQ-is; journaled in the bearingsupport 62; and isprovided atone end with a hands wheel 35" .and at vtheropposite end with asprocket wheel which is drivingly con- I nected to the steering shaft 35 through the-me dium ofa sprocket chain 35.

Mounted on thefree projecting, end of the power shaft 44 of .the motor 3! (Figure3) is a hub .9'5- ofya sprocket wheel; 98 which is free to rotate thereon and adapted-to be connected to the shaft 44 by means of a slide clutch 99 having ,a control yoke and operating handle I00 so that when the clutch 99 is in engagement with the teeth on the hub 97'ofthesprocketwheel 98; the

power shaft 44 will be directlyconnected to the from one of theframe side rails !2. The sprocket H13 is looselyvmountedvon the shaft inland is provided with a sleeve I96 (Figure 10) 'which' is integrated therewith and is formed as an extene sion of the hub of the sprocket wheel I03. One end of the shaft I04 is provided with a hub I01 (Figure ,7) of a clutch member having teeth I08, While the other end is retained in place in a bearing opening I09 of the bearing support I by means of the hub IIO of the bevel gear I I I. Rotatably mounted on the sleeve I06 is the hub N2 of a sprocket wheel II3 having clutch teeth II4 formed on the hub thereof and disposed in a direction opposite to the clutch teeth I08 and clutchhub I01. Keyed to the sleeve I06 is a clutch collar 5 which is provided with clutch teeth I08 and I I4 on the clutch hub I01 and hub II2 of the sprocket wheel I I3. The clutch sleeve I I5 is movably mounted on the sleeve I06 for longitudinal movement by means of a key H1 and is prevented from relative rotary movement with respect to the sleeve I06 by said key, so that rotation of the sprocket wheel I03 from the power source or motor 31 through the sprocket chain I02 may cause the sleeve I05 to be drivingly connected to the sprocket wheel H3 or the bevel gear III.

Extending between the upper side frame rail I2 and rotatably mounted in suitable bearings therein is a rotary shaft I upon which is mounted to swing vertically a cultivator supporting frame, including side rails I2I which have their upper ends apertured to be received on the transversely extending rotary shaft I20 as indicated in Figure 2. The lower ends of the rails I2I are connected by the transverse bar I22 and extensions thereon as at I23 project forwardly and approximately parallel to the ground surface over which the implement is travelling. Extending forwardly from the transverse rail I22 of the cultivator supporting frame is an arm I24 for cooperating with the extension I23 and providing a central support for a pair of disc harrow shafts I25 having a series of equidistantly spaced disc harrows I26 mounted thereon. The outer ends row supporting frame is a pair of side plates I28 which are pivoted on the transversely extending rotary shaft I20 at the top thereof in substantially the same manner as the disc-harrow frame supporting rail I21. The side plates I28 may be secured to the side rails 'I2I of the disc harrow supporting frame by welding or the like and the lower ends of the rails are connected by a trans versely extending plate I30, the forward end of which is provided with a, series of spaced teeth I3I which are angled slightly with respect to the transversely extending plate I30 to extend in a direction tangentially to the disc harrows I25 (Figure 2) and provide a scoop or shovel directly rearwardly thereof. A pair of diagonally disposed truss bars I32 connect the upper and lower side rails of the implement frame I2 and I3 respectively and are provided with elongated arcuately curved slots I33 for receiving guide pins I34 extending laterally from the side rails I2I of the disc harrow supporting frame.

Secured to the transversely extending rotary shaft and, mounted between the frame plates I28 is a roller I35 for supporting a conveyor apron I35 the lower end of which passes over a similar roller I31 mounted on a shaft I38 which has its ends journaled'in depending extensions I39 at the lower end of the side plates I28. Also journaled in the depending extensions I39 is a shaft I40 of an id.e roller I4I which is adapted to engage the underside of the conveyor apron adjacent the roller I31 and maintain the apron in a taut condition. Also depending from the side plates I28 is a roller supporting bracket I42 having-a shaft I43 upon which is mounted an idle roller I44 for engaging the underside of the conveyor apron I30 in the vicinity of the conveyor roller I35. It will thus be seen that the top soil of the land surface will be cut into narrow strips by the harrow disc I26 so that they wi.l be fed onto the transversely extending plate I30 rearwardly thereof and thence conveyed by the conveyor apron I36 upwardly and rearwardly-in the direction of the arrows (Figure 2).

Extending between the lower side rails I3 of the implement frame is a vertical plate I45 which has lateral extensions I46 provided with suitable lugs I41 for being fastened or aflixed to the side rails I3 by means of screws or bolts and the like. The upper end of the vertically extending plate I45 extends upwardly and forwardly as at I48 and provides a chute for receiving the elevated top soil so that the same may fall by gravity after being elevated to the discharge portion I49 of the plate I45 directly in front of a land roller which will be presently described. The upper end of the chute I40 is disposed between the upper widened portion of the side plates I28 so as to receive the soil from the discharge end of the apron conveyor I36. Upwardly extending flanges I50 are formed on the chute I48 at each side thereof to prevent the soil from falling laterally over the edges of said chute. Mounted on one end of the transversely extending rotary shaft I20 is a sprocket wheel I5I over which'is trained a sprocket chain I52 for being driven by the sprocket wheel II3 so that when the clutch collar II5 (Figure 10) is shifted to the left, with the clutch teeth H4 in driving engagement with the clutch teeth IIB, power will be transmitted from the motor 31 to th conveyor apron I36.

Secured to the upper side frame rails I2 and depending therefrom on each side is a pair of bracket plates I53 through which the rotary shaft I20 also extends at the upper endthereof, and supported by the lower ends of said depending bracket plates I53 is atransversely extending rotary shaft I 54 which is provided with sprocket wheels I55 at each end thereof for being connected to the transversely extending rotary shaft I20 by means of a similar sprocket wheel I55 at each end thereof. A sprocket chain I51 is trained over the sprocket wheels I55 and I55 so as to impart rotation to the transversely extending rotary shaft I54 upon rotation of the transversely extending rotary shaft I20. I

Supported on the transversely extending rotary shaft I54 is a disc harrow cultivator frame having side bars or rails I58 which are mounted on the transversely extending shaft I54 so as to swing vertically in substantially the same fashion as the side rails I2I of the previously described cultivator frame. The lower ends of the cultivator supporting rails I58 are angled to extend forwardly as at I59 and terminate in ground engaging foot portions I60 for engaging the ground surface 01' pathway from which thetop soil has been removed or cut by the harrow discs I26, The lower ends of the disc harrow supporting frame bars I58 are connected by a transv 9 versely extending bar -i-6I which has formed centrallythereof a forwardly projecting arm I62 for supporting the inner ends of harrow shafts I63. The outer ends of 'the harrow shafts I63 are supported in suitable bearings in the frame bars I58 and similarly to the shaft I are angled relatively one to the otherin a forwardly converging fashion. A series of harrow discs. I65 is mounted on the shafts I63in spaced apart relation similar tothe harrow discs I26.

Secured to the side rails 958 is a pair of frame plates I66 which may be affiX-edor fastened in place by welding or riveting, and said plates are arranged diagonally with respect to the side frame rails I and-are Connected at their lower ends by a transversely extending-plate I6! similar to the plate I36. The forward end of the transversely extending plate I6! is provided with a-series of teeth 558 which extend in the direction of the'harrow discs I and are adapted to remove or swee the subsoil from the trench or pathway formed by the shovel or scoop teeth. It I. Arm extensions 169' are formed at the upperends of the side frame rails I58;and are adapted to support the rotary shaftltt to which is secured 'ag'conyeyor roller 'III. Similarly supported between theside frame-rails-=t50 adiacent the lower ends thereof is'a;-r0. 3 aryshaft; H2 upon which is mounted a conveyor rol-lerIIS; A conveyor apron I'M is trainedoyer. the rollers Ill and I'Itand is provided within; series of spaced: apart cleats I"I5 forassisting in conveying the subsoil upwardly on a; lower conveyor apron i I I6; which is trained over a roller; I11, on the transversely extending rotary shaft I54 and hasits lower'end similarly trained over a conveyorroller I16 which is mounted .on

a shaft-I19-the ends -of=whichare journaled I depending brackets 180 formed integral with-the side frame 'rai1ls,l-58.- Thus it will be seen that the subsoil will be removed by the: scoop or shovel plate I-ii'l and willwbe conveyed upwardly by the conveyor apron I16 andrjover the apron conveyor roller I17w'in"t1;:le directionofthe arrows; so =as to fall upon transversely -extending conveyor aprons whichmove from the: central portion of the machine toward each side thereof -ina 1 29511- ner *WhiChWlll/b hereinafter more clearly described. Bearing brackets *IBI are formed integral I'Wit11='{tih8 extensions E59 and are adapted to-support a rotary; shaft I82- one end of whichis fitted with abevelgear I83 which'is drivingly :connectedto a'bevel gear I34 on the shaft 'I'liiof the conveyor roller I-II: The other end of the shaft'IBZ is provided withabevel gear I85 which is adapted tobe driven by a bevel gear iilfi on the shaft l54. It will thusbe-seen that the conveyor rollers HI and I12 willbe driven through the bevel gears I86, .485 andshaft I82. and bevel gears 1-33 and I85 in opposite directions 50-. that the adjacent courses of the conveyor, apronsl'l landl l6travel inthe same directions. Preferably, the conveyor apron H4 carrying the pins I15 is arranged to'travel at an increased-speed,relative to the conveyor apron I16 so that the soil will be broken up and scarifled before being conveyed rearwardly.

Extending transversely of the implement frame and secured to the lower side rails I3 isra vertical 'plate- N8 the upper end of which is angularly bent as at I89 to form a relatively short trough or chute for receiving the subsoil as the same is conveyed upwardly on the conveyor apron II'Gfland passed over the upward conveyor roller Ill: Journal'ed adjacentthe ends of the vertical plate Hi8 areth'eendsof a pair o 6 115 veyor. roller supporting shafts I90 which have their other ends journaled in the laterally extending projections I46 of the vertical chute plate I45. Conveyor rollers I9I are mounted on the shafts I90 over which is trained a pair of conveyor aprons I92 which have their inner ends supported on=conveyorrollers I93 in a horizontal plane with the conveyor rollers l9i. Conveyor roller supporting shafts I94 are arranged in spaced apart relation for supporting the conveyor rollers I93 and have their ends journaled in suitable bearings in the vertical plate I45 as well as the transversely extending vertical plate I88. Thus it will beseen that the subsoil will fall upon the conveyoraprons I92 so as to 'be directed laterally to each side of the implement frame as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1. One end of each of the outer conveyor roller supporting shafts I90 is'provided with a bevel gear I95'which is 'in driven engagement with a bevel ,fgear I96 mounted on the lower end ofa vertical shaft I9? and supported in a suitable- V journal bearing I96 extending laterally from the V laterally-extending conveyorv apron I92 and is supported on a shaft 202 the ends of which :are" mounted-in slide bearing blocks 201-} vertically 'movablein' channel guides .205 at. each side of the implement frame connecting the upper and lower frame rails I2 and I3. 7 ,1 It. is'to be noted that the vertical frame plate I.88;extendin transversely of the lower side frame rails I3 projects a considerable distance beyond thesidesof the implement frame and the ends of said transversely extending vertical plate are provided with. upwardly and rearwardly extend ing side bars 205 arranged on opposite sides of the land rollers 20L Similarly, the projecting ends of the vertical plate I45 as at I46 have connected therewith upwardly and rearwardly extending frame portions 251 which are connected at their rearmost portions by means of a transversely extending vertically arranged plate 208 the lower end of which is angled and adapted to be secured to the lower side frame rails i'dby means of a screw or the like as at 209. The-uppermost ends of the frame plates 205 and 201 are connected by arm extensions 2H) projecting laterally from the vertical plate 208. Secured to the under side of the lower implement frame rail 13 is an angle bar 2II the ends of which extend on both sides of the implement frame as at 212 and said extensions 2 I2 are pro-- vided with shaft-supporting brackets 2! at the extreme ends thereof and intermediate shaft supporting brackets 2M slightly spaced from the brackets 2I3 for supporting a conveyor roller shaft 2I5. Conveyor rollers 2I6 are mounted on the shaft and the inner ends of the shafts are provided with suitable sprocket wheels over which is trained'a sprocket'chain 2II the upper end of which is likewise trained over a sprocket wheel 2I'8 on each end of the transyerseiy extending shaft I54. Conveyor aprons 2I9 are trained over the conveyor rollers 2I6 and have their upper ends passing about similar conveyor rollers 220 which are mounted on shafts 221 the ends of which are journaled in spaced bearing brackets 222 extending forwardly from the vertically extending transversely arranged plate 208. One of the ends of the shafts 22I projects outwardly from the outer frame member 285 and has secured thereto a bevel gear 223.

Arranged rearwardly of the transversely extending vertical plate 208 is a similar plate or frame member 224 the ends of which extend laterally from each side of the implement frame as at'225 to co-operate with similar extensions 226 on the ends of the transversely extending vertical plate 208 so as to support conveyor roller shafts 228 (Figure 8). Conveyor rollers 229 are mounted on the shafts 228 and said shafts are connected with the bevel gears 223 on the ends of the conveyor roller shafts22l (Figure 2) through the medium of a bevel gear 230 and a vertical shaft 23I which is fitted on one end with a bevel gear 232 meshing with the bevel gear 223, and on the outer end with a bevel gear 233 in mesh with the bevel gear 230. The rotary shaft 23I is journaled in a suitable bearing support 235 secured to the vertically extending transversely arranged plate 208.

Arranged over one end of'the conveyor roller 229 is a conveyor apron 236 (Figure 9) which extends inwardly and is arranged over a conveyor roller 231 supported on a short shaft 238 extending through a bearing openin in the transversely extending vertical plate 208 and through a bearing opening in a supporting plate 239 which-extends laterally from a frame plate 240' spaced from and secured to the transversely extending vertical plate 208 by frame members 24I.

Arranged in side by side relationship with the inwardly directed conveyor aprons 236. is a pair of conveyor aprons 242 (Figure 1) which are likewise trained over the conveyor rollers 229 and have their inner ends trained over conveyor rollers 243 mounted on shafts 244 which are arranged with one end extending through a suitable bearing opening in the plate 240 while the opposite end is journaled in a suitable bearing opening in the transversely extending vertical plate 225. Thus it will be seen that the subsoil will be elevated by the shovel I61 and endless conveyor apron I16 so as to be deposited upon the endless conveyor aprons I92 and directed laterally to the rearwardly and upwardly extending endless conveyor aprons 2 I9 so as to be finally directed inwardly by the pairs of endless conveyor aprons 236 and 242 and thereby deposited rearwardly of the land roller 20I on top of the surface soil which had been previously packed and rolled by said land roller 20I. The frame 240 is provided with laterally extending projections 245 which provide division plates between the conveyors 236 and 242 so that a portion of the subsoil will be deposited adjacent the end of the pathway while the remaining portion will be directed inwardly and will be deposited in a center row between the subsoil deposited by the endless conveyor aprons 236. Depending from the laterally extending projection 239 on opposite sides of the frame 240 is a bafile wall 246 which is intended to direct the subsoil conveyed inwardly by the endless conveyor aprons 236 in a slightly forward direction as it falls by gravity over the end of the endless conveyor aprons 236 over the rollers 231.

Extending between the side rails I2 and !,3

of the implement frame rearwardly of the endless conveyor aprons 236 and 242 is a pair of vertical guide bars 241 which are secured in place by bolts or the like and said guide bars are channel-shaped and are adapted to receive guide blocks 248 carried by the end walls of a seed hopper 249 (Figures 1 and 2). A series of seed drills 250 are pivotally mounted to a bracket 25I carried by the slide block 248 and said seed drills 256 are pivoted to the bracket as at 252 to oscillate thereabout. The bottom wall of the seed hopper 249 is provided with a series of apertures 253 which may be controlled by a slide valve and said apertures are connected to the various grain or seed drills 250 by flexible tubes 255. I

Secured to the front wall of the seed hopper 249 is an auxiliary hopper 256 which may contain a'quantity of fertilizing material so as to be distributed in advance of the seed or grain drills 250 by means of a dispensing pipe 251 which has its lower or discharge end arranged in spaced relation from the land surface being cultivated.

Extending downwardly from the transversely extending vertical plate 225 is a deflector baffle 258 which is adapted to direct the subsoil carried inwardly by the endless conveyor aprons 242 slightly forwardly in advance of a series of triangular-shaped spreader blocks 259 which are likewise suspended from the transversely extending vertical plate 225 by arm portions 260.

It will be seen (Figure 6) that the wheel frame 6 is arranged to support the structure above described at' each end of the frame on opposite sides of the grain or seed hopper 249 so that when the farming apparatus is driven over a land surface in one direction; one set of apparatus at the forward end of the implement frame will be in operation, while the other set of apparatus rearwardly of the implement frame will be elevated out of ground engagement.

In order to accomplish the raising and lowering of the various disc harrows, conveyors and land rollers, a hydraulic system is provided and includes a pump of the inter-engaging impeller type 26I (Figure 11) which is adapted to be drivenby the motor 31 by means of a shaft 262 having a bevel gear wheel 263 which is in mesh with a bevel gear wheel 264 on the power shaft 44 (Figure 3). The pump 26I (Figure 11) has its d scharge side connected by means of a pipe line 2 5 to a manifold pipe 266. It is intended to provide a pair'of manifold pipes, one along each side of the implement frame for supplying fluid under pressure to the control chamber of a series of cylinders likewise arranged on each side of the implement frame'for elevating the implements thereon.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a cylinder 261 is secured to the top rails I2 of the implement frame and arranged directly above the disc harrow at the sides thereof. A piston is mounted on the cylinder as at 260 and has its plunger rod 269 connected to the side extensions I23 of the disc harrow supporting frame I2I by links 210.

Similarly, a pair of cylinders 21I are supported on the side bars I2 of the implement frame and are arranged so that their pistons 212 may be connected to the disc harrow supporting frame 158 by connecting the plunger rods 213 of said pistons with the side frame bars I58 by means of links 214. Pressure cylinders 215 are mounted on the upper frame rail I2 of the implement frame and are supported by the vertical guide members 2M $9 that their pistons 216 may be connectedto the guide block203 by meansofa connecting rod 211.

Supported by the vertical channel guides .241 (Figure 8) are two spaced cylinders 218 each of which has" its piston: 219 connected to theslide block 248 of the grain or feed hopper249 by means of a connecting rod 289 so that. when the pistons 21!) are forced upwardly in the cylinder 218, the grain' or feed hopper-249 will "be elevated as well as the grain drills 25!], thereby permitting the implement frame to be transferred from one farm to another when all ofthe elements are elevated,

In Figure 11, the control system'for the various cylinders and pistons is shown for only one end of the farm implement but it is to be understood-that the disc narrows, supporting frames and" conveying elements carriedthereby will be controlled through the medium of a similar system particularly arranged and connected with a source of 'fluid'26l so as to permit'both sets of implements to be operated by fluid pressure.

The manifold'pipe 266 is pro'vided'with branch pipes 281 282; 283 and 284 for suppiying fluid under pressure to the cylinders 261, 21l, 21:5 and 218 s asm force their respective pistons upwardly and thereby elevate the various-mecha lliSlIlS by the connecting rods 2%, 213, 211 and 28!]. A return manifold 29!] is adaptedto beconnect'ed to thecylinders 261, 2H, 2.15 and 21 8 by means of -branch pipes29ly 292, 293'and 294, so asto returnthe fluid: to a reservoir chamber 295 bymeans of a common-discharge pipeZSE. The

fluid may again be circulated through a pump 26! by means'ofa pipe 291 which communicates with the reservoir tank 295 and is connected with the intake'of the pumpZGL 1 v Interposed in the feeder pines-281,282, 2:83 and 284. is a series of valves 30!), 353i; 302 and 3% which are provided with operating levers 304,395, 3llfi'and 3ll1res'pectivel'y; Coil springs 3 'El8',3ll9, and'filll are provided for normally holding the valves'iiill', 3G2 and 383 in a closed position while the alve 300 is provided: with a manually controlled operating lever 3 which'ma be controlled from'a vantage point on the implement frame on a, suitable platform provided for the driver adjacent the motor 31, V

' Similarly, control valves3l233l3y3l4 and Eli are interposed in"theret\.1rn branch lines 29!, 292, "293 and 29A; and sai-d'branch valves are provided with operating 'l'evers'r-MB; 3H,- Sl't and V g 359; Coil springs 320, 32! and 32,2 :areprovided for normally holding the control valves (H3; 314 and 3 closed "whilefithe control valve i312 is adapted: to be manually controlled by means of a manual operatingileverfsn having a :control rod 32! likewise extending to a vantage point accessible to 'the driverof the implementvframeand preferably adjacentthe platform near'the motor Thus it will be seen that'by'manually opening the control valve 3llllby themanual operating lever 3! I, through the medium of a control rod 325 similar t the control rod. 324, fiuidunder pressure will be admitted to the underside of the piston 2-68; in the cylinder :1 so ast force the connecting rods 269 on each side of; the implement frame upwardly and thus elevate'the disc harrow supporting frame including the side bars I25, harrow discs l-26'and apron elevator I36; As the connecting rod 259 travels upwardly, the valve 312 may be manually closed by reason of t e fact that the trip finger 326 carried by a collar 32.1: and secured to the connecting: rod 269. will. be

14 moved upwardly outl'of the Way of the control lever 3I6; Similarly, a trip arm 328 is secured tothe connecting rod 269 by means of a collar 329 surrounding the connecting rod at the lower end thereof which is adapted to engage the control lever 3% when the piston 268 has reached the limit of its upward travel 'so as to close the control valve 300. Also secured to the connecting rod 269 of each piston 261 is a trip arm 33ll' which isadapted to moveupwardly with the connecting rod and move away from the control lever 311 so as to permit the spring 320 to close the return valve 3l3. Simultaneously, a, trip arm 33!, likewise on the connecting rod 269 will move upwardly and engage the trip arm 305 of the control valve and therebyopen said valve and permit fluid under pressure to flow from the manifold pipe 266 through the supply pipe 282-to'thecylinder 211 and thereby elevate the piston 212 therein as well as the connecting rod 213; thereof;

As the lower end of the connecting rod"' 213 is,

connected'to the disc harrow' supportingframe i758, said framewill be elevated at substantially thesame point in the pathway of the implement frame travel as the disc harrow supporting frame I ZI was elevated; Ans-the dis'charrow supporting 'frame- IE8 is raised,'the trip arm 33?! on thecon necting' r'odfls will-move away from the controllever M8 and permit the boil spring "321 to close v the return valve tifll of'the cylinder 215 so that continued'upward travel of the connecting rod 213 will bring the trip arm'333 into engagement with the control lever 386 of the supply valve 392 and thereby admit fluid under pressure to, the cylinder 215 so as to'elevate its piston 216 and the connecting rod 211 connected thereto. The connecting rod 211 is secured at its lower end'to the slide blocks 283 of the land roller 2M so that upon admission of fluid under pressure to the cylinder' 215, the land roller 28! will be'elevated at substantially the same position alongthepathway of travel of theimplement frame as the disc harrow supporting irame' I58 is elevated. During the upward movement of the connecting rod 211, a trip armSSE thereon will move awa from the control lever are of the return valve M5 and permit the coil spring 32! to close said valve so that when fluid under pressure isadmitted't the cylinder 218,103; means of the trip arm 336' on the connectingrod 211 engaging the control lever 309 of the control valve 303, thepiston 219 of said cylinder will be elevated and thereby elevate the 7 seed. or grain hopper249 as well as the grain drills 2 50. i

Itlwill thus be seen that after fluid under pres sure has been admitted to the cylinder 251 by manually manipulating .the control valve 3llllto initiate elevation of the-disc harrow supporting frame I2 I, fluid under pressure will be successivelyadmitted to the; cylinders 2', 215 and 218 so as to elevate the discharrow supporting frame 15:8 and endless apron conveyor 516 as well as the land roller 20! and seed or grain hopper 249', one after the other at substantially the same point along the pathway over which the implement frame is travelling when approaching the end of the plot being treated or conditionedtas well as! planted or-seeded.

Check valves 331, 338, 339 and 343 are interposed in the supply lines or branch pipes 28! to 284 inclusive so as to prevent fluid escape from the cylinders 261, 21!, 215 and 218 after they have been successively elevated.

A bv-z ass pipe l349vis connected to the supply line 265 onv the discharge side'of the pump- 269v and'zcommunicates with the reservoir tank 295 and said by-pass pipe is provided with a by-pass valve 350 which is adapted to open upon the building up'of excessive pressures in the system and thereby permit the fluid discharge from the pump 26I to be returned to the reservoir 295.

"The fluid pressure control valves 300 to 303 inclusive are normally closed while the return control valves 3I2 to 3I5 inclusive are normally open and, as mentioned above, the fluid pressure control valve 300 and return control valve 3I2 are manually operable to permit the valves to be moved to either an open oraclosed position.

w Since the fluid pressure control system and apparatus for only one end of the soil-treating; conditioning and seed planting apparatus has been described, it is to be understood that the same structure and system will be provided for the opposite end of the apparatus and that when itis desired to elevate both sets of apparatus,

the manual control valve for each set may be operated to'cause the various implements to be successively elevated out of ground engagement to permit the implement frame to be'moved from one-locationto another.

I --For a consideration of the operation of the apparatus, itwill be assumed that the motor 31 has been started and thesteering gear controlled sothat the traction wheels 9 and I I! at the opposite ends of the implement frame will be arranged to steer the frame along a straight-line path. First the disc harrow supporting frame I2I is lowered manually to a'predetermined ground level as shown in Figure 2 so that the harrow discs I26 will remove the top soil. Next the-harrow supporting frame I58 is lowered as the same-reaches a point where the first harrow frame was lowered so that the harrow discs I65 will remove the subsoil. After the disc harrow frames have been lowered and the ground roller I as well as the feed or grain hopper 249 has been lowered to the proper position, the manual operating handle.5I is shifted to cause one of the bevel gears 49 to engage the bevel gear 51 and thereby impart rotation to theshaft 59 and thus drive the traction wheels 9 and I0 by reason of the fact that both sets of traction Wheels are connected by the shaft 88: As the implement frame moves along the ground surface, the top soil is removed by the harrow discs I a'nd'conveyed upwardly on the endless apron conveyor I 36 so as to fall by gravity down the chute I 48- directly in front of the land roller 20I and in the" trench or path from which the subsoil has been removed by the harrow'discs I65 and the following shovel or scoop I61. PThe subsoil removed by the shovel I07 and cut by the harrow discs I55 is elevated by the endless conveyor I16 with the aid of the cleatcarrying endless conveyor Video that the subsoil will be deposited on the endless conveyor aprons I92 and directed outwardly to the endless conveyor aprons 2I9 and thence inwardly by the endless conveyor aprons 236 and 242 toward the center of the implement frame and in back of the land roller 20!. Thus the subsoil is deposited on top of the surface soil which has previously been rolled and smoothed by the land roller 20I so as to provide a thin layer of soil on the treated surface for being planted or seeded. The triangular-shaped spreader shoes 259 distribute the loose unpacked subsoil evenly over the packed layer of top soil deposited forwardly of the land roller 20I so that one set of the grain drills 250 may pass therethrough and permit the seed to be fed therethrough and de- 16 posited in a row or series of rows directly in back of the triangular-shaped spreader shoes 259.

When the end of the pathway has been reached, the various implements at the then forward end of the machine areelevated in succession by'manipulating the control valves 300 and 3I2. The steering wheel is then rotated to swing the wheel yokes 26 around the axes of their pivot shafts I3 to shift the wheels 28 into lateral planes. A power connection is then closed between the motor 31 and the gears 64 so that these rotate the wheels 28 at both ends of the machine, shifting the entire machine laterally into a position parallel to the pathway just treated, and ready to treat a new pathway by moving the machine in the opposite direction. The steering wheel 35" is then rotated to'swing the planes of the wheels 28 back into a lengthwise direction of the machine whereupon the motion of the frame is reversed by shifting'the manual control lever 5| as well as the clutch collar II5 (Figure 10) so as to drive the other set of implements through the sprocket I03, shaft I04, bevel gear 'III and bevel gear 35I, and shaft 352 extending longitudinally and arranged to be drivingly connected to a sprocket wheel similar to thesprocket wheel I5I on the transversely extending rotary shaft I20. The control lever 353 for the clutch collar I I5 may be provided with a control rod 354 extending to a vantage point of operation within easy access of the operator.

With the motion of the implement frame reversed and the apparatus at the other end of the machine in operation, similarly to the apparatus above described-the wheel frame may be moved in a reverse direction after being shifted laterally by controlling the steering mechanism through the medium of the shaft 35 and various gear wheels to turn the traction wheels 9 and I0 at right angles sothat the entire frame may be shifted laterally to a new pathway parallel with the one previously conditioned, whereupon the steeling mechanism is again operated to arrange the traction wheels 9 and ID in a direction parallel with the path to be conditioned or treated.

-When the implement frame has been laterally shifted, the frame is again set in motion and.

power applied to the traction wheels by the,

motor 3'! to cause the implement frame to travel along another pathway with one set of apparatus thereof in ground engagement so as to treat and condition the soil asab'ove pointed out.

It will thus be seen that when the implement frame has reached the end of the pathway along the land surface being treated; the set of implements on the forward end according to the direction of travel will be successively elevated as they reach a common reference point. After the implements have thus been elevated, the entire implement frame is shifted laterally a sufficient distance so that the new pathway to be made or soil to be treated and conditioned will not overl'ap the pathways previously conditioned and planted. When the implement frame has been shifted laterally by the steering mechanism and the steering mechanism again set and positioned so asito permit the movement of the implement frame in a reverse direction, the implements are lowered on the forward end of the implement frame (previously the rear end) into ground engagement so that when power is applied to the traction wheels 9 and I0, upon manipulation of the control lever 5I as well as the control lever 353 for the clutch collar I I5, the impleassassiment frame will be propelled forwardly and the various implements will be driven: through the medium of the shaft 352 and motor- 31. In order to raise and lower the graindrills 250, which are common to both sets of the" oppositely-facing excavators and conveyors, it will be evident that thecylinders 218 (Figure 11) will be connected to both hydraulic circuits-, valves-being provided to shut off one circuit while the cylinders 218 are connected to the other circuit. The grain drills 250 rock about their pivots' 252 automaticall as the machine. reverses its direction, th-us'requiring no special means of reversal. Obviously a second set of spreader blocks 259 is mounted on the opposite side of the grain drills 258 from the first set shown in Figure 2, but one set of blocks 259 does not interfere with theother set during the travel of the machine in either direction, since the ground has been substantially leveled by the first setbefora it encounters the second set, except for the slight furrows made by the grain drills. 250;.

The implement frame may thus be moved to and fro over a land surfacewithout necessitating turns at the end of each pathway or strip of soil being conditioned and treated bysimply manipulating the various control elements so as to setinto operation theimplements on the forward portion ofthe machine; according to the direction of travel and arranging the same so that they are in ground engagement with the set of implements on the rear end of the frame in an elevated position. I

In the modified form of suspension means shown in Figure 12, the implement frame including the side frame bars 12a, and 13a is identical in construction with the frame illushated and described in connection with Figures 1 to 11 inclusiveand'the wheel supporting frame includes top and bottom frame bars Ellaand 2Ia connected by end bars lb and 22a. The wheels 9a are mounted'in the wheel forks 26a and are connected for being driven and steered as pointed out in connection with the wheels 9 and it in Figures 1 to 11 inclusive. In Figure 12 there is shown a yielding connection interposed between the implement frame and the wheel supporting frame and secured'ato theverticalframe bars [4a of the implement frame is a pair of link members 400. which are pivotallyiafiixed to the i vertical frame bars Ma and have their other ends similarly attached to the upright Mb at eachside of the wheel supporting frame. A pair of" projections 4-01 and 402 are secured/to the implement frame end" bars Ma, and arranged therebetween and secured to the upright frame bars 14b of the wheel supporting frame is a projection or abutment 403. Coil springs 41% and 405 are mounted on opposite sides of the projection 403 and have their ends disposed in abutting relation with the projections 46! and 402 respectively to thereby yieldingly support the implement frame and absorb shocks while the soil conditioning and treating implement is traveling over rough ground or surfaces. It is intended to support both ends of the implement frame by the yielding frame connection illustrated in Figure 12 and since both ends are identical, a description of one will suffice for both ends.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred embodiments thereof, and that various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of parts without depart- I 8 ing from the spirit of the invention or thescop'd of the subjoined' claims;

What I claim is:

1. In a land treating and soil conditioning apparatus comprising a traction frame, laterally steerable wheel supports-pivotally mounted on said frame at opposite ends thereof; wheels on said supports, means for steering said supports and wheels laterally of said frame, a topsoil excavator carried by said frame for removing top soil from a landsurface, a land roller carried by said frame, a subsoil excavator for removing sub-surface soil positioned on said frame rearwardly of said top soil excavator, a-top soil conveyor adjacent sa-idtop soil excavator for depositing the top soil in front of said land roller in the pathway formed by the subsoil excavator, and a subsoil conveyor for carrying said subsoil to a position rearwardly of said land roller for being deposited on the top soil.

2. In a land treating and soil conditioning apparatus comprising a traction frame, laterally steerable wheel supports pivotally mounted on said frame at opposite ends thereof, wheels on said supports, means for steering said supports and wheels laterally of said frame, a top soil excavator carried by said frame for removing top soil from a land surface, a land roller carried by said frame, a subsoil excavator for removingsubsurface soil positioned on said frame rearwardly of said top soil excavator, a top soil conveyor adjacent'said top soil excavator for depositing the topsoil in front of said land roller inthe pathway formed by the subsoil excavator, a sub' ."oil conveyor for carrying said subsoil to a position rearwardly of said land roller for'beingdeposited on the top soil, an elevator connected to said land roller to raise and lower said roller, and mechanism for operatingsazd-elevator.

3. In a farming implement, in combination, an implement frame, a set of laterally-spaced rotary soil cutting discs mounted forwardly on said frame, a top soil excavator mounted on the implement frame rearwardly of said discs for removing surface soil containing vegetable matter such as stubble and the like, a subsoil excavator mounted on the frame rearwardly of said top soil excavator for removing sub-surface soil, a, top soil conveyor mounted adjacent said top soil excavator-for depositing the surface soil in the pathway formed by the subsoil excavator, and a subsoil conveyor mounted adjacent said subsoil excavator for conveying the sub-surface soil rearwardly for being deposited on the previously deposited layer of surface soil.

4. In a farming implement, in combination, an implement frame, a set of laterally-spaced rotary soil cutting discs mounted forwardly on said frame, a top soil excavator mounted on the implement frame rearwardly of said discs for removing surface soil containing vegetable matter such as stubble and the like, a subsoil excavator mounted on the frame rearwardly of said top soil excavator for removing sub-surface soil, a

top soil conveyor mounted adjacent said top soil excavator for depositing the surface soil in the pathwa formed by the subsoil excavator, a sub soil conveyor mounted adjacent said subsoil excavator for conveying the sub-surface soil rearwardly for being deposited on the previously deposited layer of surface soil, and a second set of laterally-spaced rotary soil cutting discs mounted rearwardly of said first set and for wardly of said subsoil excavator.

5. In a farming implement, in'combination, a

wheeled implement frame having combined steering and traction wheels mounted at opposite ends thereof, a prime mover on said frame drivingly connected to said wheels, a seed planter mounted centrally of said frame for dispensing and planting seed, oppositely-facing top soil excavators mounted at the opposite ends of the frame for removing top soil of a predetermined depth, oppositely-facing subsoil excavators mounted rearwardly of said top soil excavators on the frame for removing sub-soil from the pathway formed by the removal of the top soil, oppositely-facing top soil conveyors mounted between their respective top soil and subsoil excavators for conveying the top soil to a position to be deposited between the respective subsoil conveyor and the seed planter, oppositely-facing subsoil conveyors mounted between their respec tive subsoil excavators and said seed planter for conveying the sub-soil to a position adjacent said seed planter, fluid pressure motors connected to said excavators and conveyors to raise and lower the same, and a pressure fluid supply circuit connected to said motors, said circuit including a source of pressure fluid and control valves operative to selectively raise the excavators and conveyors facing in one direction and to lower the excavators and conveyors facing in the opposite direction.

6. In a farming implement, in combination, a wheeled implement frame having combined steering and traction wheels mounted at opposite ends thereof, a prime mover on said frame drivingly connected to said wheels, a seed planter mounted centrally of said frame for dispensing and planting seed, oppositely-facing top soil excavators mounted at the opposite ends of the frame for removing top soil of a predetermined depth, oppositely-facing subsoil excavators mounted rearwardly of said top soil excavators on the frame for removing subsoil from the pathway formed by the removal of the top soil, oppositely-facing top soil conveyors mounted between their respective top soil and subsoil excavators for conveying the top soil to a position to be deposited between the respective subsoil conveyor and the seed planter, oppositely-facing subsoil conveyors mounted between their respective subsoil excavators and said seed planter for conveying the sub-soil to a position adjacent said seed planter, elevators connected to said excavator and conveyors to raise and lower the same and mechanism for actuating said elevators, said mechanism including control devices operative to selectively raise the excavators and conveyors facing in one direction and to lower the excavators and conveyors facing in the opposite direction.

7. In a farming implement, in combination, a wheeled implement frame having combined steering and traction wheels mounted at so posite ends thereof, a prime mover on said frame drivingly connected to said wheels, a seed planter mounted centrally of said frame for dispensing and planting seed, oppositely facing top soil excavators mounted at the opposite ends of the frame for removing top soil of a predetermined depth, oppositely-facing subsoil excavators mounted rearwardly of said top soil excavators on the frame for removing subsoil from the pathway formed by the removal of the top soil, oppositely-facing top soil conveyors mounted between their respective top soil and subsoil excavators for conveying the top soil to a position to be deposited between the respective subsoil conveyor and the said planter, oppositely-facing subsoil conveyors mounted between their respective subsoil excavators and said seed planter for conveying the subsoil to a position adjacent said seed planter, elevators connected to each of said excavators and conveyors to raise and lower the same, and mechanism for actuating said elevators, said mechanism including control devices operative to selectivel raise the excavators and conveyors facing in one direction in succession, and to lower the excavators and conveyors facing in the opposite direction.

8. In a farming implement, in combination, a wheeled implement frame having combined steering and traction wheels mounted at opposite ends thereof, a prime mover on said frame drivingly connected to said wheels, a seed planter mounted centrally of said frame for dispensing and planting seed, oppositely facing soil loosening devices mounted on opposite sides of said seed planter, elevators connected to each of said soil loosening devices and to said seed planter to' raise and lower the same, and mechanism for actuating said elevators, said mechanism including control devices operative to selectively raise the soil loosening device facing in one direction and to lower the soil loosening device facing in the opposite direction and also to selectively raise and lower said seed planter.

WILLIAM T. ANDRUS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,319,936 Wentworth Oct. 28, 1919 1,331,044 Bartholomew Feb. 1'7, 1920 1,402,822 Wolff Jan. 10, 1922 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 365,566 Germany Apr. 18, 1923 

